Jajim Kilim Shahsavan 175 x 195 cm – Wool, Vintage
Handwoven Shahsavan jajim from north-west Iran, made around 1950/60. Vivid vertical striping in orange red, saffron and dark blue, in hand-spun sheep's wool. Very good condition with light signs of use.
Pattern and Colour Structure
The surface is striped throughout along its length, with no division into field and border. Unlike most jajim, the stripes here run without dividing pattern bands: a dense sequence of lines of varying width running across the whole width, giving the piece a flat, almost fabric-like character.
The palette is unusually vivid: orange red and saffron carry the surface, interrupted by narrow bands in dark blue, blackish brown and a pale sand tone. Individual stripes are set with fine rows of dots that run along as small contrasting lines. The overall impression is warm and open – of the colour worlds in which Shahsavan jajim occur, this is the strongest.
The depth of colour shifts noticeably within individual stripes: the orange red ranges from a saturated brick tone almost to rust brown, the saffron moves between gold and a paler ochre. Hand-spun yarn was dyed in batches, and on a flatweave this stays directly visible.
On the Making: Strips and Seams
Jajim are woven on horizontal looms in narrow strips of 30 to 50 cm width and then sewn together by hand. The vertical seams therefore run through the whole piece and are visible in several places.
These seams are neither damage nor repair but the construction principle: the nomads' portable loom does not allow great widths. On this piece the seams are executed with particular care – the sequence of stripes continues across the panel boundaries almost without a break.
Origin and Condition
The Shahsavan are a nomadic confederation originally from the Caucasus, living today above all in the Moghan steppe and the Ardebil area of north-west Iran. Their flatweaves are among the most sought-after work of this kind. The jajim is worked wool on wool and stands flat and light at about 3 mm. The condition is very good: no losses, only light signs of use that belong to the patina of a piece of this age.
Where It Works
At 175 × 195 cm (3.41 m², approx. 5.7 × 6.4 ft) and flat in structure, the jajim suits:
Floor covering: the good condition allows use on the floor, with an anti-slip underlay
Wall hanging: the near-square format and strong colouring work well on a wall
Throw for a sofa, bench or bed – the original use of such weavings
As a layer over a larger rug in a layered arrangement
Orange red, saffron, dark blue, blackish brown, sand
Shape
Rectangular
Use
Indoor
Condition
Vintage, very good condition, light signs of use
Care, cleaning and repair: Vacuum gently without a rotating brush, preferably with a nozzle attachment on flatweaves. Blot spills rather than rubbing them. On smooth floors we recommend an anti-slip underlay. For full cleaning and for work on edges or seams we offer rug wash and restoration.
